Circle One
Circle One (株式会社サークル・ワン) is a Japanese private company in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, that develops IP-based disaster prevention communication systems (CosmoTalk, CosmoMaster, CosmoCast), elderly monitoring security (Apollon), and biomass hot water heaters (JetClean), selling primarily to municipalities, security companies, and industrial facilities in Japan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersOita-shi, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Circle One does
Circle One Co., Ltd. (株式会社サークル・ワン) is a privately held Japanese technology company headquartered in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, that designs and sells IP-based disaster prevention communication systems, elderly monitoring solutions, biomass energy equipment, and point-of-sale systems. The company's core franchise is the Cosmo series — CosmoTalk handheld IP communication devices (C250TR, C580-MTR), CosmoMaster municipal wireless broadcasting systems, CosmoCross cross-frequency radio interoperability devices, and the CosmoCast smartphone broadcasting app — which leverages internet connectivity to enable cross-organizational emergency communication that bypasses the radio frequency licensing constraints of Japan's Radio Act. The architecture includes dynamic station switching that re-routes communication when main stations are damaged, and feedback monitoring that verifies outdoor speaker operation in real time.
The company sells primarily through direct sales to Japanese municipalities, fire departments, police, security companies, construction firms, and non-life insurance companies, supported by a vertical-specific document download portal. For consumer-facing products, Apollon (elderly monitoring with Doppler-radar vital sensors, PIR sensors, door sensors, dual cameras, and optional security company dispatch) is sold through the company's direct-to-consumer e-commerce site with subscription plans ranging from 680 to 5,250 JPY/month. The JetClean KH-E series is a tire-derived-fuel hot water heater with three-stage gasification combustion, sold to industrial facilities with claimed annual oil cost savings of 3-11 million JPY per unit. Circle One has no disclosed revenue, headcount, funding, or institutional investors, and operates with a single disclosed executive (Representative Director Ichimaru Toshio).
Circle One firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Circle One
- Legal name
- 株式会社サークル・ワン
- Website
- https://circleone.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Circle One (株式会社サークル・ワン) is a Japanese private company in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, that develops IP-based disaster prevention communication systems (CosmoTalk, CosmoMaster, CosmoCast), elderly monitoring security (Apollon), and biomass hot water heaters (JetClean), selling primarily to municipalities, security companies, and industrial facilities in Japan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Circle One industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Safety Communications & Monitoring Equipment
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Security Systems Services (56162), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Emergency Telecommunications & Connectivity (ETC) (BPADADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- At-Home Medical Alert Sensors & Smart Home Safety Integrations (HSAHAHAJ), Fire Alarm & Life Safety Systems Integration (BPAKAGAF), Fire Alarm Monitoring & Dispatch (BPAKAFAC)
Keywords
Where Circle One is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oita-shi
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Circle One business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Apollon Hardware Sales: Apollon security device sold as a one-time purchase or installment payment. Basic set unit price is listed as open pricing.
- Apollon Monthly Subscription Services: Monthly subscription plans for Apollon security/monitoring services including Self-Defense Plan (680 JPY/month), Self-Defense + Internet Plan (5,250 JPY/month), Security Company Collaboration Plan (980 JPY/month), and Security Company Collaboration + Internet Plan (1,800 JPY/month).
- IP Communication Device Sales: Sale of CosmoTalk IP communication devices (C250TR, C580-MTR models) and Cosmo series disaster prevention systems to municipalities, security companies, fire departments, construction companies, and insurance companies.
- Disaster Broadcast System Sales: CosmoMaster and CosmoCast disaster broadcast systems sold to municipalities and enterprises, with associated CosmoCast app services.
- JetClean Biomass Energy System Sales: KH-E series tire automated hot water heater units sold in multiple models (KH-E150 through KH-E700) with annual oil cost reduction of 300-1100万 JPY per unit depending on model.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Apollon Basic Set - Open pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Self-Defense Plan (自己警備プラン) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Self-Defense + Internet Plan |
| Subscription | Monthly | Security Company Collaboration Plan (警備会社連携プラン) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Security Company Collaboration + Internet Plan |
| Subscription | Monthly | Apollon Companion Sensors (Optional Add-ons) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Circle One product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Circle One designs, manufactures, and sells IP-based disaster prevention communication systems (CosmoTalk handheld IP radios, CosmoMaster wireless broadcasting systems, CosmoCross radio interoperability devices, and the CosmoCast smartphone broadcasting app). The company also sells the Apollon elderly monitoring and home security system with cameras, motion/door sensors, and optional guard dispatch, the JetClean KH-E series tire-combustion biomass hot water heaters, and the PC Register computer-based point-of-sale system. Offerings target Japanese municipalities, public safety agencies, security companies, and individual consumers.
Product overview
Circle One offers a suite of disaster prevention and communication products centered around IP-based technology. The product portfolio includes CosmoTalk (compact IP communication devices for disaster coordination), Apolon (elderly/pet monitoring security systems with cameras and sensors), CosmoCast (smartphone broadcasting app for municipalities and enterprises), CosmoMaster (disaster prevention wireless broadcasting systems), CosmoCross (radio frequency interoperability devices), JetClean (biomass tire water heaters with eco-energy technology), and PC Register (computer-based point-of-sale systems). The offerings span public safety communications, home security and monitoring, environmental/energy solutions, and retail management systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cosmo Talk (コスモトーク): Disaster prevention IP communication device enabling internet-based communication during emergencies without requiring radio licenses.
- Cosmo Master (コスモマスター)
- Cosmo Cross (コスモクロス)
- Cosmo Cast (コスモキャスト)
- Apollo (アポロン)
- Jet Clean (ジェットクリーン)
- PC Register (パソコンレジスター)
Products and services
- CosmoTalk (コスモトーク)
Quantifiable outcome
- Annual oil cost reduction of 3-11 million JPY per JetClean unit depending on model (KH-E150 through KH-E700)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Circle One
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Circle One technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Circle One partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Circle One competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- KDDI Corporation: KDDI is a major Japanese telecom operator offering IoT connectivity services and smart home platforms. Its au HOME and connected security offerings provide competing infrastructure for IoT-based monitoring in the Japanese market where Circle One's Apollon operates.
Broad incumbents
- NEC Corporation: NEC is a major Japanese integrator supplying emergency communication systems, municipal infrastructure, and public safety solutions. As an established incumbent with deep government relationships, NEC competes with Circle One's Cosmo series in municipal disaster communication procurement.
- Panasonic Corporation: Panasonic operates a broad portfolio spanning communication equipment, home security, and elderly monitoring solutions. While not specialized in Circle One's niche, its connected home and emergency communication offerings create competitive overlap in both municipal and consumer segments.
- Hitachi, Ltd. Hitachi supplies broad infrastructure solutions including public safety communications, building systems, and social infrastructure to Japanese municipalities and enterprises. Its wide portfolio and government relationships make it a comparable incumbent to Circle One's enterprise sales motion.
- Motorola Solutions, Inc. Motorola Solutions is a global leader in public safety communications, supplying radio systems to police, fire, and emergency agencies. While primarily operating outside Japan, its product architecture and pricing benchmarks influence the competitive landscape that Circle One's IP-based Cosmo systems address.
Emerging players
- Secual Inc. Secual is a Japanese startup offering IoT-based home security sensors with smartphone notification and optional security company linkage, closely mirroring Apollon's product architecture. It represents an emerging domestic peer in the connected home security category.
Direct peers
- Icom Incorporated: Icom is a Japanese manufacturer of radio communication equipment for emergency services, maritime, and amateur markets. Its wireless communication solutions compete directly with Circle One's CosmoTalk and CosmoCross products in the municipal and public safety radio segment.
- JVCKENWOOD Corporation: JVCKENWOOD manufactures professional radio communications equipment used by Japanese municipal, fire, and police agencies. Circle One's CosmoTalk IP communication system directly competes with JVCKENWOOD's legacy radio offerings in the same emergency communications procurement channel.
- ALSOK (Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd.): ALSOK is a leading Japanese security services company with extensive home security monitoring, guard dispatch, and elderly monitoring offerings. Its MINAKO and other elderly monitoring products compete directly with Apollon in the same Japanese consumer/caregiver market.
- Secom Co., Ltd. Secom is Japan's largest home security and emergency monitoring company, operating a comprehensive dispatch network. Its HOME ALSOK and elderly monitoring services (including Cocoon) directly compete with Circle One's Apollon product for the same Japanese household security and elderly care segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Circle One social profiles
Digital presenceCircle One financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Circle One leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Circle One funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Circle One M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Circle One
What does Circle One do?
Circle One designs, manufactures, and sells IP-based disaster prevention communication systems (CosmoTalk handheld IP radios, CosmoMaster wireless broadcasting systems, CosmoCross radio interoperability devices, and the CosmoCast smartphone broadcasting app). The company also sells the Apollon elderly monitoring and home security system with cameras, motion/door sensors, and optional guard dispatch, the JetClean KH-E series tire-combustion biomass hot water heaters, and the PC Register computer-based point-of-sale system. Offerings target Japanese municipalities, public safety agencies, security companies, and individual consumers.
Is Circle One a public or private company?
Circle One is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Circle One founded?
Circle One was founded in 1988. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Circle One based?
Circle One is headquartered in Oita-shi, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Circle One make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Apollon Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are apollon Monthly Subscription Services, IP Communication Device Sales, disaster Broadcast System Sales and jetClean Biomass Energy System Sales.
Who are Circle One's main competitors?
KDDI Corporation is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are NEC Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Hitachi, Ltd. and Motorola Solutions, Inc.. Secual Inc. is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Icom Incorporated, JVCKENWOOD Corporation, ALSOK (Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd.) and Secom Co., Ltd..
Does Circle One have an API?
No public API is recorded for Circle One.
What industry is Circle One in?
Circle One's product category is Public Safety Communications & Monitoring Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADADAG, Emergency Telecommunications & Connectivity (ETC), with a secondary code of HSAHAHAJ, At-Home Medical Alert Sensors & Smart Home Safety Integrations. Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 3576.